Zurfluh, Wendel sisters share state tournament experience

Two pairs of sisters, from left, Macie and Sadie Zurfluh and Gracie and Hannah Wendel, are part of the Assumption soccer team that will play Lake Country Lutheran in the state tournament in Milwaukee.
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WISCONSIN RAPIDS – With a pair of state basketball tournaments under their belts, siblings Sadie and Macie Zurfluh will get to add one more state competition to their credit when the Assumption girls soccer team takes to the turf at Uihlein Soccer Park.

The Royals, making their second WIAA state soccer tournament appearance in school history — the other was in 2011 — play Lake Country Lutheran Thursday afternoon in the Division 4 state semifinals.

The Zurfluhs were part of Assumption’s 2013 state basketball championship team and on the runner-up team this past March.

“It’s great to be able to share a state tournament experience with your sister,” Sadie said. “I remember Hannah (Skibba) telling us after we won state in basketball that we played the maximum number of games we could, and we’re hoping to do the same in soccer.”

Sadie was a junior and Macie a freshman on the state championship basketball team, and both were leaders on the team this past winter. The girls are not, however, the only pair of siblings on the Royals’ soccer team.

The Wendel girls, Hannah, a senior, and Gracie, a freshman, are key players on the team as well. And unlike the Zurfluhs, Hannah and Gracie have played together on the same soccer team.

“We played on the same Rapids Kickers teams, and we played well together,” Hannah said. “Because of our experience with the Kickers, it wasn’t a difficult transition on Washington Field.”

The younger siblings don’t feel like “little sisters,” but teammates, and each has learned from her older sister.

“It’s great to have an older sister on the team — she’s taught me so much,” Macie said. “We both play in the middle part of the field, so she can help me on the field.”

Added Gracie, “She gives me tips and helps me be a better player. It was fun playing with her on Kickers, and I’m lucky to be able to be on the same high school team for a year.”

While the Zurfluhs are competing in their third state event together, the Wendels get to share it with their dad, Jim, an assistant coach on the team.

“I never dreamed that I’d be able to see the girls play on the same state tournament team, much less be along side them as a coach,” Jim said. “I thought it could be a possibility, but I didn’t really think it would happen. I’m stoked.”

Hannah and Sadie were freshmen on the 2011 team and feel fortunate to be back as seniors.

“I’ve been telling Gracie to enjoy it and not to take it for granted,” Hannah said. “I thought we would be back every year, and it didn’t happen.”

Added Sadie, “You have to enjoy every minute of it, because it doesn’t happen every year, and play 110 percent, because you never know when you last game might be.”

Mark Massoglia can be reached at 715-423-7200, ext. 6736. Follow him in Twitter @markmazzy.